Slide fastener for garments

ABSTRACT

A slide fastener for a garment having a first flap portion and second flap portion, the first flap portion having a button member, the slider fastener including a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other, a slider slidably coupled to the opposing stringer strips, the slider releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other, and an elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the button member of the first flap portion and a second end pivotally coupled to the slider, the movement of the first flap portion advancing the slider along the opposing stringer strips. 
     A method of using a slide fastener for a garment consisting of the steps of providing a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other, providing a slider slidably coupled to the opposing stringer strips and having an upper end and a lower end, the slider releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other, providing an elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the button member of the first flap portion and a second end pivotally coupled to the slider, and grasping and moving the first flap portion generally upwardly relative to the second flap portion such that the slider advances along the opposing stringer strips from the lower end towards the upper end to position the first flap portion and the second flap portion in a closed position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a slide fastener device for garments, and more particularly to a slide fastener having a tab member coupled to the garment to facilitate the adjustable positioning of the garment between an open position and a closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of garments, luggage and baggage have been developed that incorporate slide fasteners in the form of a zipper closure means. Commonly, slide fasteners are provided with a small tab member which must be grasped by a user to adjustably position the slide fastener between open and closed positions. This can be difficult for individuals having disabilities affecting their manual dexterity or for individuals having inherently weak hand strength, such as children and the elderly. Also, athletes, such as skiers and snowmobilers, may have difficultly adjusting slide fasteners on their garments when wearing heavy gloves.

Slide fasteners having tassels or enlarged loops have been developed for use with garments to improve the user's ability to grasp the tab member and adjustably position the fastener. Unfortunately, these tassels and loops may become accidentally engaged by the garment wearer or objects surrounding the garment wearer, such as jewelry and carrying bags, thereby causing injury or damage to the garment wearer or their belongings. Moreover, the enlarged tassels and loops are unsightly and detract from the appearance of the garment worn by the user.

Accordingly, there is a need for a slide fastener which may be used to easily adjustably position a garment between an open position and a closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slide fastener for a garment having a first flap portion and a second flap portion, the first flap portion having a button member, the slider fastener comprising a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other, a slider slidably coupled to the opposing stringer strips, the slider releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other, and an elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the button member of the first flap portion and a second end pivotally coupled to the slider, the movement of the first flap portion advancing the slider along the opposing stringer strips.

The generally downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider downwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards a lower end of the opposing stringer strips. Moreover, the downward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips disenages the opposing stringer strips from each other. The downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider towards a lower end of the opposing stringer strips. In an open position, the slider is positioned proximate to the lower end of the opposing stringer strips.

The generally upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider upwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards an upper end of the opposing stringer strips. Moreover, the upward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips enages the opposing stringer strips to each other. The upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider towards a upper end of the opposing stringer strips. In a closed position, the slider is positioned proximate to the upper end of the opposing stringer strips.

The elongate tab member can further comprise a first loop member formed in the first end and a second loop member formed in the second end. The first loop member coupled to the button member of the first flap portion, and the second loop member hingedly coupled to the slider.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment comprising a first flap portion and a second flap portion, a slide fastener coupled to the flap portions, the slide fastener having a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other, a slider positionable along the opposing stringer strips and adaptable for releaseably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other, and an elongate tab member for slidably positioning the slider along the opposing stringer strips between an open position and a closed position, the elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the slider and a second end coupled to the first flap portion, whereby the downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion will disengage the opposing stringer strips, and whereby the upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion will engage the opposing stringer strips.

The generally downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider downwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards a lower end of the opposing stringer strips. Moreover, the downward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips disenages the opposing stringer strips from each other. The generally upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider upwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards an upper end of the opposing stringer strips. The generally upward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips enages the opposing stringer strips to each other.

The elongate tab member can have a first loop member formed in the first end and a second loop member formed in the second end. The first loop member coupled to the button member of the first flap portion, and the second loop member hingedly coupled to the slider.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a slide fastener for a garment having a first flap portion and second flap portion, the first flap portion having a button member, the method comprising the steps of providing a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other, providing a slider slidably coupled to the opposing stringer strips and having an upper end and a lower end, the slider releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other, providing an elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the button member of the first flap portion and a second end pivotally coupled to the slider, and grasping and moving the first flap portion generally upwardly relative to the second flap portion such that the slider advances along the opposing stringer strips from the lower end towards the upper end to position the first flap portion and the second flap portion in a closed position. The method further comprising the step of grasping and moving the first flap portion generally downwardly relative to the second flap portion such that the slider advances along the opposing stringer strips from the upper end towards the lower end to position the first flap portion and the second flap portion in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a slide fastener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 secured to a garment;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 in a generally closed position;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 in a partially open position;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 in a partially open position;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 being adjustably positioned from an open position to a closed position;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 in a partially closed position; and

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a garment having the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 in a generally closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-10 which illustrate a slide fastener 10 for a garment 12 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The garment 12 includes a first flap portion 14 and second flap portion 16 which may be designed to partially overlap the first flap portion 14 to conceal the slide fastener 10. The first flap portion 14 may be provided with a button member 18 to prevent the accidental opening of the garment 12 in use. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the slide fastener 10 may be moved upwardly and downwardly to position the slide fastener 10 and the first and second flap portions 14 and 16 between a closed and open position, respectively. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the garment 12 illustrated in FIG. 3-10 and the various parts comprising the same are meant to depict a general embodiment of such garment 12 and is not meant in anyway to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the slide fastener 10 consists of a pair of opposing stringer strips 20, a slider 22, and an elongate tab member 24. Each of the stringer strips 20 are secured to the first and second flap portions 14 and 16 and are adapted to be releaseably engaged to each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the opposing stringer strips 20 include an engagement edge 26 having a plurality of teeth 28 that are adapted to engage and disengage from one another as the slider 22 slidably advances along the opposing stringer strips 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the slider 22 is slidably coupled to and astride of the opposing stringer strips 20 for releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips 20 to each other. The slider 22 includes a body member 30 and a clasp member 32. The body member 30 is adapted for receiving at least a portion of the engagement edges 26 as the slider 22 is advanced along the opposing stringer strips 20. As the slider 22 is moved along the opposing stringer strips 20, the body member 30 acts to engage and disengage the engagement edges 26 in a manner known by persons skilled in the art of the present invention. The clasp member 32 extends from the body member 30 and is adapted to couple the slider 22 to the elongate tab member 24.

As will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 5-10, when the first flap portion 14 of the garment 12 is adjustably positioned generally downwardly in the direction A, the slider 22 is caused to move towards a lower end 34 of the opposing stringer strips 20 and the engagement edges 26 of the opposing stringer strips 20 to disengage. In a generally open position, shown in FIG. 8, the slider 22 is positioned proximate to the lower end 34 of the opposing stringer strips 20. From the open position, when the first flap portion 14 of the garment 12 is adjustably positioned generally upwardly in the direction B, the slider 22 is caused to move towards an upper end 36 of the opposing stringer strips 20, thereby engaging the engagement edges 26 of the opposing stringer strips 20. In a generally closed position, shown in FIG. 5, the slider 22 is positioned proximate to the upper end 36 of the opposing stringer strips 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the elongate tab member 24 has a first end 38 coupled to the button member 18 of the first flap portion 14 and a second end 40 pivotally coupled to the slider 22. The first end 38 is provided with a first loop member 42 adapted to couple the elongate tab member 24 to the button member 18 on the first flap portion 14 of the garment 12. The second end 40 is provided with a second loop member 44 adapted to hingedly couple the elongate tab member 24 to the slider 22. By this design, the downward or upward movement of the first flap portion 14 relative to the second flap portion 16 causes the slider 22 to advance along the opposing stringer strips 20.

Referring to FIGS. 5-10, the steps in positioning the slide fastener 10 and garment 12 of the present invention between a closed position and an open position are illustrated. Commencing with FIG. 5, the slide fastener 10 is shown positioned in a generally closed position with the opposing stringer strips 20 releaseably engaging the first and second flap portions 14 and 16 to each other. The button member 18 on the first flap portion 14 is inserted into a corresponding aperture 46 in the second flap portion 16 to further releaseably engage the first flap portion 14 to the second flap portion 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, a garment wearer manually grasps the first and second flap portions 14 and 16 with their respective hands preparatory to positioning the garment 12 between a closed position and an open position. To commence the opening of the garment, the garment wearer grasps and moves the first flap portion 14 downwardly relative to the second flap portion 16 in the direction A. By this downward movement, the elongate tab member 24 is caused to pull or advance the slider 22 downwardly towards the lower end 34 of the opposing stringer strips 20. As the slider 22 advances, the engagement edges 26 of opposing stringer strips 20 are caused to disengage from each other. To faciliate the opening of the slide fastener 10, the garment wearer may opt maintain a firm grasp on the second flap portion 16 when positioning the first flap portion 14 downwardly.

Referring to FIG. 7, the slider 22 has advanced along the opposing stringer strips 20 and the slide fastener 10 is shown in a generally open position with the slider 22 positioned proximate to the lower end 34 of the opposing stringer strips 20. With the slide fastener 10 in the open position, the garment wearer may easily remove the garment 12.

From the open position shown in FIG. 7, the garment wearer may commence the positioning of the slide fastener 10 between the open position and the closed position by manually grasping the first flap portion 14 and the second flap portion 16, as shown in FIG. 8. The first flap portion 14 is moved upwardly relative to the second flap portion 16 in the direction B to advance the slider 22 upwardly. By this upward movement, the elongate tab member 24 is caused to pull or advance the slider 22 from the lower end 34 to the upper end 36 of the opposing stringer strips 20. As the slider 22 advances, the engagement edges 26 of opposing stringer strips 20 are caused to engage to each other. To faciliate the closing of the slide fastener 10, the garment wearer may opt to gradually move the second flap portion 16 in the direction C as the first flap portion 14 is moved upwardly in the direction B.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first flap portion 14 has been moved further in the direction B relative to the second flap portion 16. The slider 22 has advanced further along the opposing stringer strips 20 so that the slide fastener 10 is positioned in a generally closed position. In the closed position, shown in FIG. 10, the slider 22 is positioned proximate to the upper end 36 of the opposing stringer strips 20 and the engagement edges 26 of the opposing stringer strips 20 are engaged along the length thereof. The garment wearer may then opt to secure the button member 18 on the first flap portion 14 to the corresponding aperture 46 on the second flap portion 14 to maintain the slide fastener 10 of the garment 12 in the closed position.

It will be understood that the slide fastener 10 may be manufactured from any suitable material as is known in the art, including, but not limited to, plastic and metal. Although the slide fastener 10 is illustrated herein as being used in connection with a pant-type garment, it should be understood that the slide fastener 10 may be used with any garment utilizing a slide fastener-type closure means, such as, for example, a jacket or shirt-type garment.

While what has been shown and described herein constitutes a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, it should be understood that various modifications and adaptions of such embodiment can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims. 

1. A slide fastener for a garment having a first flap portion and second flap portion, the first flap portion having a button member, the slider fastener comprising: a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other; a slider slidably coupled to the opposing stringer strips, the slider releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other; and an elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the button member of the first flap portion and a second end pivotally coupled to the slider, the movement of the first flap portion advancing the slider along the opposing stringer strips.
 2. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generally downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider downwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards a lower end of the opposing stringer strips.
 3. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein the downward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips disenages the opposing stringer strips from each other.
 4. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein the downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider towards a lower end of the opposing stringer strips.
 5. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein in an open position, the slider is positioned proximate to the lower end of the opposing stringer strips.
 6. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generally upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider upwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards an upper end of the opposing stringer strips.
 7. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips enages the opposing stringer strips to each other.
 8. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advancing the slider towards a upper end of the opposing stringer strips
 9. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 8, wherein in a closed position, the slider is positioned proximate to the upper end of the opposing stringer strips.
 10. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate tab member having a first loop member formed in the first end and a second loop member formed in the second end.
 11. The slide fastener as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first loop member coupled to the button member of the first flap portion, and the second loop member hingedly coupled to the slider.
 12. A garment comprising: a first flap portion and a second flap portion; a slide fastener coupled to the flap portions, the slide fastener having a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other, a slider positionable along the opposing stringer strips and adaptable for releaseably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other, and an elongate tab member for slidably positioning the slider along the opposing stringer strips between an open position and a closed position, the elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the slider and a second end coupled to the first flap portion, whereby the downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion will disengage the opposing stringer strips, and whereby the upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion will engage the opposing stringer strips.
 13. The garment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the generally downward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider downwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards a lower end of the opposing stringer strips.
 14. The garment as claimed in claim 13, wherein the downward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips disengages the opposing stringer strips from each other.
 15. The garment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the generally upward movement of the first flap portion relative to the second flap portion advances the slider upwardly along the opposing stringer strips towards an upper end of the opposing stringer strips.
 16. The garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the upward advancement of the slider along the opposing stringer strips enages the opposing stringer strips to each other.
 17. The garment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the an elongate tab member having a first loop member formed in the first end and a second loop member formed in the second end.
 18. The garment as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first loop member coupled to the button member of the first flap portion, and the second loop member hingedly coupled to the slider.
 19. A method of using a slide fastener for a garment having a first flap portion and second flap portion, the first flap portion having a button member, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pair of opposing stringer strips coupled to the flap portions, each of the stringer strips being releasably engageable to each other; (b) providing a slider slidably coupled to the opposing stringer strips and having an upper end and a lower end, the slider releasably engaging the opposing stringer strips to each other; (c) providing an elongate tab member having a first end coupled to the button member of the first flap portion and a second end pivotally coupled to the slider; and (d) grasping and moving the first flap portion generally upwardly relative to the second flap portion such that the slider advances along the opposing stringer strips from the lower end towards the upper end to position the first flap portion and the second flap portion in a closed position.
 20. The method of claim 19, comprising the further step of: (e) grasping and moving the first flap portion generally downwardly relative to the second flap portion such that the slider advances along the opposing stringer strips from the upper end towards the lower end to position the first flap portion and the second flap portion in an open position. 